Molly House takes you to 18th-century London, into the secret world of molly houses—places where homosexual men gathered to find safety, companionship, and joy at a time when their identity was punishable by the harshest penalties. Players take on the roles of members of this community, striving to preserve their sanctuary, organize parties, and avoid investigators from the Society for the Reformation of Manners, who seek to expose and destroy these secret gatherings. The theme is deeply rooted in history and emphasizes survival, solidarity, and risk during an era of repression.

This is a strategic game with elements of semi-cooperation, set collection, hand management, and risk-versus-reward.

Points in the game represent “Joy,” which you earn by hosting parties, socializing, and fulfilling desires.

Actions:

• Hosting parties (Festivities): The heart of the game—players collaborate to organize events that bring points but increase the risk of police raids.
• Drawing cards from the Vice Deck: Desire cards, mollies, and Threats affect your reputation and scoring opportunities.
• Moving through London locations: Visit markets, streets, and Mother Clap’s Molly House to gain new cards or trigger special effects.

Each party increases the attention of the authorities; poor decisions can lead to raids, penalties, or even collective defeat.

Molly House is a bold, thematically rich game that combines strategy, risk, and community in a fight for joy under the shadow of persecution. 🕯️